RCA Triples Energy Star Qualified Products; Reduces Packaging

Electronics maker RCA has tripled the number of Energy Star qualified models from 2006 to 2007.

Each model consumes less than 1 Watt in standby mode to meet the ENERGY STAR® program standards. RCA plans to improve the increasing number of Energy Star qualified models each year; not simply complying with expectations, but going beyond what is required to save energy.  The company has also created a guide for consumers, RCA Energy Savers that features its Energy Star products.

RCA also plans to save 450 tons of plastic in the next two years by making smaller, environmentally-friendly paper gift box containers that will replace the older clamshell packages. This initiative called “Smart Packing” has already saved over 81 tons of extra plastic.

Looking ahead, RCA plans to continue reducing plastic by using eco-friendly and chemical-free materials to help design and develop products and packaging. In the next two years, the goal is to reduce plastic weight by more than 200 tons in 2007 and by more than 230 tons in 2008.

Smart Packing reduces the overall size of packaging while increasing cardboard usage and minimizing the usage of environmentally harmful materials.  As part of the initiative the company has reduced the overall size of their product packaging, saving both materials and energy.  RCA also notes its packages are easier for consumers to open.